Casey Strand

May 30, 2016 09:08PM
● By Becky Coburn

Former College Park athlete Casey Strand was inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame on May 21 in San Jose with family by his side. Casey was proud to be mentioned with the current and past honorees, and commented, “Being inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame is a huge honor for me because California has such a rich history of great wrestlers and is one the top states in the country for the sport of wrestling.

Strand was a four-time league champion and three-time NCS Section Champion at College Park High School. Casey was also a three-time finalist and two-time State CIF Champion, and in 1994, his senior year, he went 68-0. At the state tournament, he was also named the Champion of Champions. Most memorable to Strand was setting the national record for most wins in a high school career, totaling 228. He was the ASICS, AWN, USA Today, WUSA, and USAW All-American and represented Team USA in the Dapper Dan Classic in Pennsylvania. Casey wrestled for Arizona State University and was a two time PAC-10 Champion and a NCAA Division I All American, with 126 college wins.

Casey continues to be involved with the sport, coaching at the Pleasant Hill Wrestling Club. When asked if his sons will follow suit he replied, “My sons Casey Jr and Chase are competing in wrestling and football now, but they are writing their own stories. They are both very talented athletes and I can honestly see them competing on the biggest stage of whatever sport they choose if that's what they decide to do.